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Nike's new ad has the hashtag #BurnNike trending on social media

#BurnNike controversy

Posted: 8:53 AM, Sep 05, 2018

Updated:2018-09-05 19:05:32Z

By:
Annie Taylor

Nike's new "Just Do It" ad campaign making a lot of noise. The ad shows free agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick as the face. The controversial ad reads, "Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything."

Kaepernick made national headlines two years ago, when the then-49ers quarterback refused to stand for the National Anthem in protest of the violence against people of color by the police.

Now, the hashtag #BurnNike is blowing up on social media after Nike made Kaepernick the face of their latest ad. People like Sean Clancy took to social media to post videos of them lighting their Nike shoes on fire.

There's even a photo being shared on social media that replaces Kaepernick with a picture of Pat Tillman, a NFL player who enlisted in the Army after 9/11. He died while serving in Afghanistan, and some people are saying he sacrificed more than Kaepernick.

Although there's plenty of backlash against Kaepernick and Nike, several high-profile people are speaking up for the athlete and the athletic company.

Steve Marmel, TV writer and producer, spoke out against the burning of Nike apparel.

If you burn/destroy clothes and shoes instead of bringing them to a veteran charity, don’t talk patriotism or honoring vets.
You are throwing away something SOMEONE you say you respect needs to be spiteful and look cool on social media.
It proves your outrage a lie.#NikeBoycott